carry forward

British  

verb

1. accounting to transfer (a balance) to the next page, column, etc

2. Also called (in Britain and certain other countries): carry over.  tax accounting to apply (a legally permitted credit, esp an operating loss) to the taxable income of following years to ease the overall tax burden

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noun

1. Also called: carry-over.  tax accounting an amount carried forward

carry forward Idioms  

1. Also, carry over . Transfer a bookkeeping entry to the next column, page, another account, or the next accounting period, as in Let's carry forward this loss to the next quarter for a saving in taxes , or She made an error in carrying over this column . The first term dates from the first half of the 1800s; the variant dates from the mid-1700s.

2. Make progress in, advance, as in His successor hoped to carry forward his work . Also see carry on .

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Example Sentences

"We want to carry forward a process of normalisation with Azerbaijan," the source said, adding: "Among the disagreements between our two countries is the fate of Martin Ryan."

From Barron's • Mar. 16, 2026

For those of us defending free speech, it is a legacy we carry forward with gratitude.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 23, 2026

And later this month, investors will turn to the “January barometer,” another indicator built around the idea that market strength or weakness early in the year can carry forward.

From MarketWatch • Jan. 3, 2026

"It challenges us to listen, to learn, and to carry forward the stories that still shape our world today," she added.

From BBC • May 5, 2025

More than anything, I hoped this was what they’d carry forward into the future—the ease, the sense of community, the encouragement to speak and be heard.

From "Becoming" by Michelle Obama

Related Words

• carry over